Enrollment at the University has steadily increased in the past several years, and last year the University experienced a 6 percent increase in enrollment. Enrollment continues to grow with the fall 2015 enrollment approaching 21,000 students.
The opening of Peavine Hall for the fall semester and the opening of the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center, expected in early 2016, will greatly increase the physical space and improve the quality of accommodations needed to serve the increased student body population.
“The way we put the campus together has a great impact on student success, and we intentionally build student success into the design of these buildings,” University President Marc Johnson said in an interview with UniversityBusiness.com in July.
Along with current construction projects, additional plans are in the works to accommodate the growing needs at the University.
Peavine Hall
With 3,100 students expected to reside in on-campus housing this year, Peavine Hall, located north of Sierra Hall at the corner of Sierra and 11th Streets, helps meet increasing demands for student housing. Although Peavine Hall will accommodate 600 mostly freshman students this year in suite-style rooms of three students each, plans call for the wellness-themed hall to service approximately 400 student as additional residence hall capacity is developed in the coming years. Peavine Hall is designed to be environmentally friendly with the goal of LEED Gold certification.
- Cost: $40.5 million
- Size: 117,000 square feet
- Funding sources: Residence hall fees and bonds
- Timeline: Aug. 13 grand opening
- Architect: Collaborative Design Studio (also designed Joe Crowley Student Union)
- Contractor: Sundt Construction, Inc.
- Project Manager: Scot Orchard
Pennington Student Achievement Center:
The William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center is being constructed on the site formerly occupied by the Getchell Library, and is slated to open in early 2016. The Center will foster the culture of student success by providing key student academic and support services in one location with continued and convenient resources to help engage and retain students.
- Cost: $44.1 million
- Size: 78,000 square feet
- Funding Sources: A $6 million lead gift from the William N. Pennington Foundation is acknowledged in the naming of the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center. The Neil J. Redfield Foundation and the Clarence and Martha Jones Family Foundation each provided $2 million toward the project. A new Veteran and Military Center will be located on the third level, and has received a $300,000 gift from the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Military Support Council.
- Timeline: 60 percent complete; anticipated opening early 2016
- Architect: H + K Architects
- Contractor: CORE Construction
- Project Manager: Scott Brown
E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center
The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center will be a vibrant hub of campus fitness and recreation, offering a gymnasium with three courts for intramural basketball and other court sports, areas for weightlifting, cardio training and a multitude of fitness classes and activities. Additionally, there will be an indoor, 1/8th mile running track and stadium stairs for training. Finally, there will be lockers and changing rooms and administrative office spaces. The E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center will be available to students, faculty and staff.
- Cost: $46 million
- Size: 108,000 square feet
- Funding Sources: An $8 million naming gift was given to the University by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. A $1.5 million gift was given by Mario J. Gabelli, and the Gabelli Foundation will be recognized by the naming of the Mario J. Gabelli Plaza outside the E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center. The University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Foundation has provided $3 million in matching gifts and several donors have responded to this offer as the University continues its philanthropic efforts to raise the remaining funds from private donations. The remainder will come from student fees and bonds
- Timeline: Estimated completion in early 2017
- Architect: Worth Group
- Contractor: Q&D Construction
- Project Manager: John Walsh
Tennis Courts:
Six brand-new tennis courts with spectator areas are replacing older tennis courts that were recently renovated into a new 195-spot, permit-parking lot built this summer as part of the University’s parking improvement plan. The new courts will be situated in Hixson Park near the softball field. Construction begins August 2015, with estimated completion date of November 2015.
- Cost: $2.3 million
- Funding Sources: University Athletics and donors
- Architect: TSK and Engineer: Pezonella Associates
- Contractor: Not Yet Awarded
- Project Manager: Lyle Woodward
Thompson Hall:
The Thompson Hall renovation project includes minor office space layout changes, restroom and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance improvements, an upgraded fire alarm system, new flooring, ceilings, paint, asbestos abatement, converting open space into office space, and repainting of exterior masonry. The project will commence after faculty moves into the William N. Pennington Student Achievement Center in early 2016.
- Cost: $2.7 million
- Size: 18,000 square feet of renovated space
- Funding Sources: Institutional funds, Higher Education Capital Construction and Special Higher Education Capital Construction
- Timeline: Construction begins early 2016, finishing in August 2016
- Architect: GML Architects
- Contractor: Not Yet Awarded
- Project Manager: Ariel Lauzardo
Lincoln Hall:
Built in 1896, Lincoln Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and in Reno. Through an upcoming renovation, structural upgrades to the building will address safety and seismic standards. Closed as a residence hall in May 2015, Lincoln Hall will be converted to an office building of approximately 70 offices and workstations. In cooperation with the State Historical Preservation Office and a design agent that specializes in historic structures, upgrades in seismic, fire and safety, mechanical, plumbing, phone and data, and ADA access will also be included in this project.
- Cost: $7.13 million
- Size: three floors and a basement; 28,298 square feet
- Funding Sources: Institutional funds
- Timeline: Estimated construction start is January 2016, with estimated completion in August 2016
- Use / change: Was residential; now will be office spaces
- Architect: TSK Architects
- Contractor: Gilbane Construction
- Project Manager: John Walsh
Palmer Engineering and Scrugham Engineering and Mines Building Renovations:
Currently in the design phase, this project will update two labs in Scrugham Engineering and Mines and several labs and offices in Palmer Engineering. Built in 1940-41, Palmer Engineering housed most of the University’s engineering classrooms and labs until Scrugham Engineering opened in 1963. Renovations include removing the existing wind tunnel to create additional space, remodeling several labs and upgrades to comply with accreditation standards.
- Cost: $15 million (with majority of funding going to Palmer Engineering)
- Size: approximately 36,000 square feet (Palmer Engineering is 32,147 square feet and Scrugham Engineering and Mines is 4,196 square feet)
- Funding Sources: From the state slot taxes provided by the 2013 Legislature
- Timeline: Construction will begin at the end of spring 2016, and will be completed in January 2017
- Architect: H + K Architects
- Contractor: Clark & Sullivan Construction
- Project Manager: Scott Brown
